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Asbestos | Asbestos Industry
Companies > National Gypsum
National Gypsum Company History
National Gypsum was founded in 1925 based on a new process that promised lighter and more flexible gypsum wallboard. The company quickly established itself as a leader in that industry, and essentially introduced "modern" wallboard. The founders were so confident that they had the lightest and strongest wallboard that they attached a "gold bond" certificate to every shipment, offering $5,000 to anyone that could prove otherwise. The wallboard was soon called Gold Bond Wallboard, and the Gold Bond brand soon became better known than the manufacturer's name.
The smartly managed company endured several patent-infringement lawsuits and the Great Depression. In 1935, National Gypsum acquired its chief competition, Univeral Gypsum, more than doubling the size of the company and gaining access to valuable gypsum mines. Soon thereafter, they acquired Atlantic Gypsum as well.
In an effort to diversify their business, National Gypsum acquired National Mortar and Supply Company, built a paper mill, and attempted to break into the water-based latex paint market by acquiring Wesco. In 1954, they purchased Abestone Corporation, maker of asbestos cement. Asbestos-based products represented a relatively small percentage of National Gypsum's total sales, but were later determined to be a significant liability for the company.
National Gypsum Products that Contained Asbestos
National Gypsum manufactured and sold many products that contained asbestos. Many of these products were marketed under the "Gold Bond" brand name. Potentially dangerous National Gypsum products that contained asbestos included wallboard, roofing, shingles, cement board, gaskets, cements, adhesives, plasters, compounds, fireproofing materials, pipe covering and ceiling panels. Asbestos was chiefly used for its insulating and fire-resistant properties, and because it was readily and cheaply available. It was later discovered that asbestos dust can cause a number of potentially fatal diseases, most notably malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Following is a list of National Gypsum products known to contain asbestos. If you used these products, or worked in or around an environment that contained them, you may be at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases. Most of these products became available in the mid to late 1950s and many were sold until the early 1970s.
- Gold Bond Asbestos Permaboard
- Gold Bond Asbestos Cement Board
- Gold Bond Abestone
- Gold Bond Siding
- Gold Bond Plasticrylic Panels
- Gold Bond Non-perforated Asbestos Panels
- Gold Bond Humiguard Asbestos Panels
- Gold Bond Plasters (Gypsolite, E-Z Soak, All Purpose Joint Compound, etc.)
- Gold Bond Sprayolite
- Gold Bond Texture Paint
- Gold Bond Joint Compounds
- Gold Bond Fire-Shield Plaster
- Gold Bond Natcor
- Ripple-Tone Panels
- Insul-Best Panels
- National Gypsum Pliaboard
- Plia-F-Lex
- Soffit Panels
- Thermotec
- Gold Bond Woodrock
- Flexfelt
- Craftco Cement Paint
- Gold Bond E-Z Spray Texture
- Gold Bond Exterior Stucco
- Panelectric Groove Fill
- Perfect Spray
- Rockwall Acoustic Plaster
- Thermo-Weld Compound
- Two-in-One Compound
- Wesco Joint Treatment
Occupations at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
The vast majority of National Gypsum products were used in all facets of the construction business – residential, commercial, and industrial. Workers in the construction industry are thus most at risk for asbestos exposure from these products. Acoustical workers, drywall tapers, plasterers and sheetrock hangers are among those construction workers that were most likely exposed to these asbestos containing products. However, because asbestos dust is an airborne threat, any environment in which asbestos products were used poses a potential health risk to workers at that site, hands-on or otherwise. Additionally, asbestos dust can be carried home on workers' clothing, posing a threat to anyone who handles the contaminated garments. Asbestos exposure has been directly linked to malignant pleural mesothelioma which is known to have a high mortality rate.
Recent News
Declining housing starts (which drive demand for wallboard) and unresolved asbestos liability caused National Gypsum significant trouble beginning in 1986. In 1990, the company was unable to find a lender to replace an expiring $75 million credit line, and was forced to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They emerged from bankruptcy in July 1993. Their reorganization plan called for the creation of the NGC Settlement Trust, funded by $5 million in cash and more than $600 million in insurance polices. This trust and all its assets are devoted to settling asbestos-related claims. If you were harmed by exposure to National Gypsum products containing asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation from this trust.
